Summary After dropping off a pilot on board the JADE STAR as it was preparing to enter Port-Cartier, the tug BROCHU proceeded to the oil tanker's bow to take the towline messenger. During this manoeuvre, the oil tanker's stem struck the starboard stern of the BROCHU causing damage to the plating. At the time of the accident, a trainee master was at the controls of the tug. Ce rapport est galement disponible en franais. Other Factual Information Particulars of the Vessels At about 2205[1] on 22 August 1996, the BROCHU left its berth at Port-Cartier to go to meet the JADE STAR, and the harbour pilot that it was carrying boarded the tanker to begin the docking operations. At the start, the trainee master was at the tug's helm while the regular master was standing a little to one side inside the wheelhouse. On boarding the tanker, the pilot checked the vessel's speed from the global positioning system (GPS) data. The tug proceeded towards the bow of the JADE STAR to take the towline messenger. The trainee master was still at the helm while the regular master was at the chart table busy making entries in the vessel's log. In trying to correct the tug's position, a short distance from the tanker's bow, the trainee master initiated a manoeuvre that made the situation worse rather than correcting it. At about 2235, the tug's starboard stern was struck by the JADE STAR. The bulwark, the deck, and some frames were damaged. The tug was observed from the tanker's wheelhouse passing from port to starboard. No vibration or sensation of a strike was felt, but, the next day, the ship's master reported that there had been contact without any damage to the tanker. The accident was not reported to Marine Communication and Traffic Services (MCTS). The crew members of the BROCHU reported the damage to the operator the next day. At that time, no entry appeared in the vessel's log. The trainee master was not yet entered on the vessel's certificate, and, consequently, it was not his responsibility to report the damage and make the log entries. Ninety-nine per cent of the ships calling at Port-Cartier are assisted by two water tractor tugs, the VACHON and the BROCHU. Some of these tugs' masters have considerable experience with Voith-Schneider propellers, having even trained other ports' tug masters. However, the operator of the two Port-Cartier tugs has no program or directive for training its new masters. The training is provided by the regular masters, who each teach in his/her own way. The BROCHU is fitted with two bridge control stations, one at each end of the wheelhouse. The master chooses the station from which he has a better view of what is going on astern. There is sufficient space around each of these control stations for the master to be able to move to fully assess the execution of manoeuvres. In addition, tires are hung all round the tug to deaden the frequent blows that it sustains during towing operations. These tires helped to limit the extent of the damage.